The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) maintains a list of the World Heritage sites that are in danger. In a recently concluded 46th meeting in New Delhi, it has decided not to include Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, on the danger list of World Heritage by expressing the same view it adopted to its non-inclusion of Stonehenge in the UK.
Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, and there are 535 million people across the globe who are following and performing Buddhism. Buddha is also considered the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is known to have taken nine births as a human being so far, and his tenth incarnation in the form of Kalki is due. Therefore, Gautam Buddha is not only worshipped by Buddhists but also by Hindus. More interestingly, Nepal is also a Hindu Rashtra; his birthplace is left alone to sustain the wear and tear of weather for ages.
UNESCO experts have noted the deplorable state of the Lumbini site, but they have also observed Nepal's efforts to preserve it. Hence, the UNESCO experts have given more time to Nepal to implement the recommendations for building the sites up to mark for pilgrimage. The conservation issues have been delayed by Nepal since 2002. Belgium and Lebanon have come forward to oppose the decision taken by UNESCO on the ground of delaying issues of the heritage site for 22 years. Having read the situation gravely, India has extended its hands to support Nepal for convincing the UNESCO to give an extension of time until February 1, 2025.
Out of the total population of the world, Buddhists consist of 8–10% and mostly belong to the Asia-Pacific region among China, Japan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, South Korea, etc. And, most interestingly, the highest authority of Buddhist religion, the Dalai Lama, resides in Dharmsala, India, 780 km from the proximity of Lumbini; still, the conservation issues of the birthplace of Buddha are in question. Staying in a dilapidated state is sure to raise the eyebrows of many naturally. It is very hard to digest when all the powerful countries of the Asia-Pacific region endorse Buddhism, but still the conservation issues of the birthplace of Buddha need attention and implementation of the recommendation of UNESCO.
The similar kind of prehistoric site, Stonehenge in the UK, was also nominated to be put on the UNESCO danger list because of connectivity issues through roads. Somehow, both popular sites skip the inclusion of the World Heritage danger list, but they need attention on conservation issues and get it implemented at once without hesitation.